Our Bureau
New Delhi
Indian urea producers have begun shutting some plants after a war involving Iran disrupted the flow of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar, according to industry and energy reports. The cut in LNG supplies has forced top fertilizer makers, including the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Ltd. (IFFCO), to either stop parts of their production or move up annual maintenance work.
LNG is the main raw material used to make urea, the world’s most widely used nitrogen fertilizer. With Qatari shipments paused due to the conflict, many Indian companies now face sharply higher fuel costs and tighter availability. Restarting a paused plant can take up to a month, even if LNG supplies return, insiders said, adding to the risk of a longer‑term drop in output.
For now, officials say India has enough urea in stock to meet near‑term demand, including the crucial sowing seasons. However, if the war persists and LNG flows stay weak, the government may have to rely more on imports, which could push global urea prices higher and raise costs for farmers. Analysts warn that any major shortage could strain food‑production plans and add to inflation in agriculture‑dependent regions.
